After burglary spree, Oviedo police say, 'Lock your car'

Oviedo police are warning residents to lock their vehicles in the wake of a car-burglary spree.

There were 79 burglaries to vehicles in the city in January — 30 fewer than the 109 car burglaries in all of 2013, officers said.

The department's new initiative, Operation Safeguard, has officers going door to door to remind people to conceal their valuables and lock their cars. There was no sign of forced entry in any of the recent burglaries.

Over the next few months, police hope to contact every resident in the east Seminole County city of about 35,000 people. Visits from uniformed officers and Community on Patrol volunteers will occur on weekday evenings and Saturday mornings.

Police also are stepping up patrols.

Last weekend, 35 vehicles were burglarized in the Lake Rogers Estates, Waverlee Woods and Alafaya Woods neighborhoods. In January, 43 vehicles were burglarized in communities along Lockwood Boulevard.

At least two vehicles also have been stolen. Investigators said the keys were left inside.